| Just the thought of trying to book a vacation rental | | | | one or two bedroom home, and lower your rates |
| during the low-season may strike some owners as | | | | accordingly. Remember to negotiate a cleaning fee |
| daunting, but any owner concerned about attracting | | | | with your housekeeper for the lower number of |
| renters after the peak season should remember that | | | | bedrooms. |
| there are plenty of people who prefer to travel | | | | 6. Make your home baby- and toddler-friendly. People |
| anytime but high season. Couples or families with | | | | with very young children are more likely to travel |
| very young children are not constrained by school | | | | during off-season because they're not constrained by |
| schedules. Some people prefer traveling when the | | | | school schedules. Appeal to these travelers by |
| crowds have ebbed or when the temperature drops. | | | | including baby and toddler paraphernalia. A high chair |
| It may require a little extra creativity, but the | | | | and a port-a-crib should cost less than $150 |
| rewards will come this slow season and the next. | | | | combined, and can drastically increase your low |
| Here are just a few tips for appealing to these great | | | | season bookings. |
| not-so-off-season markets: | | | | 7. Accept pets. Vacation rental homes that accept |
| 1. Winter marketing tips. Playing up features like hot | | | | pets increase their occupancy by 10 to 50 percent. |
| tubs and fireplaces and sprinkling your description | | | | When you accept pets, it's okay to take an additional |
| with words like warm or cozy will attract renters | | | | $20 to $25/night or $140 to $175/week. This extra |
| interested in braving the cold weather for some | | | | (which pet owners would have to spend anyway on |
| relaxation. Remember that photos often speak louder | | | | boarding fees) is enough to pay for any carpet |
| than words, so try to post images of your vacation | | | | cleaning that may need to be done. |
| home framed in brilliant autumn leaves or dusted with | | | | 8. Advertise to European travelers. Many Europeans |
| snow. You can even swap out pictures of your | | | | have a fixed holiday period so they are another |
| rooms to show beds overflowing with fleeces and | | | | group of potential renters who will be arriving after |
| comforters or a roaring fire in your fireplace. | | | | the high season. Advertising on websites in Europe |
| 2. Get as much mileage as possible out of the | | | | will help you reach this target market. |
| holidays. Holiday trappings are a great marketing tool | | | | 9. Feature special events. Don't forget about alumni |
| because almost anybody gets excited about taking | | | | or sports fans that will be heading to (or near) |
| off from work or school to spend quality time with | | | | college towns in search of sporting event tickets. |
| family and friends. | | | | Local festivals and events might draw in a semi-local |
| 3. Try offering specials or discounts. The truth is that | | | | crowd looking for a getaway. In addition, many |
| people expect a discount during the slow season and | | | | people book vacation rentals for weddings or church |
| so you might consider a deal like, "rent three nights | | | | retreats. You may be able to register your vacation |
| and get one free". Or, consider calling or e-mailing | | | | home as a venue for corporate retreats with your |
| prior "VIP" guests and offering them discounted | | | | visitors and convention bureau. |
| stays. | | | | One a word of caution: exercise moderation. It's |
| 4. Reduce your minimum stay. In the low-season, | | | | okay to spend some money on things to attract |
| people are typically looking for shorter getaways and | | | | slow season renters, but don't go overboard. You're |
| perhaps more local trips. Shorter minimum stays will | | | | renting at a deeply discounted rate so you don't |
| also mean lower prices, and this will attract the | | | | want to spend too much. Doing a good job with the |
| bargain hunters that just need a quick vacation. | | | | basics and being a friendly, hospitable host is plenty. |
| 5. Make your home smaller. You can close off (lock) a | | | | As word gets around and your guests become |
| few bedrooms in your vacation rental, making it a | | | | 'regulars,' your off-season problem will solve itself. |